Mountain Hunting Rifle... Kimber vs Fierce....

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rookiehunter

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I am looking at getting/building on top of a new rifle for longer range bench shooting (500-800yds for now) and sheep/mountain hunting. I have sort of settled in between a Kimber Mountain Ascent and a Fierce Edge (or Fury). I have shot the Kimber and really like it, but heard a lot of really good stuff off the Fierce.

Any thoughts? Some say the two are not even in the same ballpark, but just trying to get some opinions on which would give the best "bang for the buck", pun intended.

Also, accessibility in Canada is also a factor. Am planning on calling fierce up next week, but haven't really seen their rifles here in BC anywhere.

Thanks in advance
 
I'd look at a Kimber Montana, quiet a bit cheaper for the same rifle as a mountain ascent minus the fluted bolt, bolt knob and barrel. You can almost have an aftermarket barrel spun on for the money you'll save.


rookiehunter said:
I am looking at getting/building on top of a new rifle for longer range bench shooting (500-800yds for now) and sheep/mountain hunting. I have sort of settled in between a Kimber Mountain Ascent and a Fierce Edge (or Fury). I have shot the Kimber and really like it, but heard a lot of really good stuff off the Fierce.

Any thoughts? Some say the two are not even in the same ballpark, but just trying to get some opinions on which would give the best "bang for the buck", pun intended.

Also, accessibility in Canada is also a factor. Am planning on calling fierce up next week, but haven't really seen their rifles here in BC anywhere.

Thanks in advance
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Do a Google search on problems with fierce, a little extra homework and you might find the fierce is more of a "kimber roulette " than kimber is. I have 2 kimbers and I'm really happy with both, never had to warranty anything on them. Last spring I picked up a christensen ridgeline and it shoots very well. There are also alot of questionable reviews on the christensen rifles online. I say pick the one who will handle any warranty issues promptly. I had the ejector springs replaced under warranty for my ridgeline and I had it back after a few weeks. Fierce is a lot of money for a fine tuned tikka/sako copy. If kimber made a 300 prc then I would have bought that instead of the ridgeline.
 
Between kimber and fierce, I would take the kimber - And I’m not a fan of kimber at all.
That said I would rather have the weatherby 6-lug over either hands down.
 
I own 2 fierce rifles. They are great. Easy to get the 1/2 moa with multiple loads. Fit and function are great. Talk to Omer at Persion optics site sponsor. He is very knowledgeable. I own a number too and also a decent rifle.
 
I had several lightweights including the Kimbers and the original Remington 700 Titaniums. Sold them all or used them to build. The Kimbers broke my spirits with the crappy parts and barrels. I never found one that shot well, although a buddy of mine has a Montana in 270 that does shoot well. Only one of the Titaniums was a shooter but I never warmed up to it. Beautiful light rig but I just didn't like it and sold it to a forum member. The others I used to build and sell.

The Fierce is an expensive copy of a Sako. Maybe consider a Sako 85. I have several of them in various styles and cartridges, and they all shoot under an inch with factory ammo. My main rig for mountain hunting is the Finnlight in 270WSM. It is heavier than some of the previously mentioned rigs, but I know that any shot will land where it is intended.
 
I think that you should put the Barret fieldcraft on that list, its the same price roughly, as the Kimber Assent, I've got the Kimber and the Barret and the Barret is a way better rifle, better stock, smoother and shoots lights out with several loads, 6.5 creed, the Assent (.260) isnt as nice in the stock, and only has a small weight range it shoots well 120-125gr. Site sponsor Wolverine, still has a few fieldcrafts listed.
We are spoilt for choice, on light weight rifles now day, was not that long ago, that there were very few choices, under 6.5lbs
 
I have a Kimber Ascent in 7-08...superlite gun can pack it all day...hard to beat as a mountain rifle.

I also have a Fierce Carbon Edge 6.5PRC...very nice rifle as well but doesn't compare weight wise to the Ascent.

Longer range...Fierce, Packing in the mountains...Kimber :)

JMHO
 
The fierce will be an accurate rifle, but they are not that light. In the same range as a tikka t3lite, my edge ti is 6 pounds 7oz. A mountain ascent is substantially lighter. The lighter rifles are harder to shoot well, there is always a tradeoff.
 
Last year I sold off a safe full of "lesser" rifles and flipped those dollars into a Kimber Montana in 280 Remington (not AI - custom chambering) and a Kimber Montana in 243. Both rifles were used, but in excellent condition. The 243 got sent to Gary Flach to sort out a light strike issue - apparently not that uncommon on the older ones as the 243 is. Otherwise, both have functioned flawlessly and they are simply awesome to carry. I hike long distances while hunting and almost always have my rifle in my hands ready to go - a light rifle is much more comfortable over the course of a long day.
 
I would suggest you consider two rifles or compromise on both concepts to find a middle ground, because a purposeful long range bench rig is nothing like a purposeful mountain rifle. I would settle on any sturdy well made Sporter, not necessarily a "super" lightweight... there are other ways to shave weight for mountain hunting other than off your rifle. Just choose a quality bolt action rifle that fits and feels right to you, find it in an appropriate cartridge for longer range shooting, lots to choose from in the 6.5mm - .30 cal range. Spend a good bit of Dinero on ammunition, preferably from your own loading bench, and then burn some gunpowder at the range from 100 - ??? whatever you intend to shoot to, until you intimately understand your trajectory and wind compensation and you can confidently place the bullet where it needs to go.
 
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A friend of mine had two accidental discharges in a Fierce that was later determined by the gunsmith to have been caused by a screw in the trigger group coming loose (no loctite applied.) He had a very negative experience with the company trying to address the issue with Fierce.
 
I'm a fan of crf rifles but the barrets look tempting, especially the short actions with the long magazine box. Great for reloaders.

southernman said:
I think that you should put the Barret fieldcraft on that list, its the same price roughly, as the Kimber Assent, I've got the Kimber and the Barret and the Barret is a way better rifle, better stock, smoother and shoots lights out with several loads, 6.5 creed, the Assent (.260) isnt as nice in the stock, and only has a small weight range it shoots well 120-125gr. Site sponsor Wolverine, still has a few fieldcrafts listed.
We are spoilt for choice, on light weight rifles now day, was not that long ago, that there were very few choices, under 6.5lbs
Click to expand...
 
I don’t have any experience with Fierce so I can’t say anything on them.
I’ve been through 12 or more kimbers now though and so far haven’t had any major issues. I did have one that needed a little metal taken off the mag box as it was too tall and stressing the action and one that had some feeding issues. The feeding issue was due to the mag spring moving forward in the mag well and the bolt would slide over the back of the cartridge and catch mid length. Made a spring stop and no more issues. Most kimber problems are pretty easy to fix, though there are several common ones to watch for. The most knowledgeable guy on them this side of the border would probably be Gary Flach. I’d recommend talking to him if you’re considering one.

In general, I’ve noticed three other things that come into play when shooting light weight rifles for accuracy that seem to get over looked.
1) Drop your trigger weight. It makes a huge difference (kimbers are very easy to adjust).
2) Pencil barrels, they’re not made for bench shooting they’re made for hunting conditions. A couple shots and let them cool down.
3) Don’t let them free recoil

I also recommend a Montana or even Hunter if you want the same rifle essentially without the added cost. Weight differences between the three are quite minor with the Montana/Hunter being almost the exact same once you remove the 8oz brick inside the hunter stock (you’ll also have a mag if you prefer). If you’re looking for long range you’ll most likely be putting on a heavier scope as well. My M.A. in 280ai wearing a vx6 is 7lbs
 
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